We’ve been writing article after article about painting, hardwood flooring, carpet and general flooring questions we receive. It’s in our best interest that you have the info you need to make decisions for your family, because we’re part of this community, too. The Belleville area has been our home for generations, and the core purpose of Valor Home Services is to get your home up to the best living standards and level of comfort possible.
You’re comfortable and safe, and we’re happy.
We recently realized, though, that there’s another area we haven’t talked much about (even though we know a lot about it): home remodeling. And, in light of all the extra time most of us are spending at home these days, we thought it was a good time to start.
Buckle up for some quick tips on how to save real money on any home remodel.
Tip 1: Shop around
Even if you’re a “DIYer,” there will be a job at some point that’s too big for you, or part of a job that’s too specialized for you to handle (like plumbing or electrical work). That’s when you hire a general contractor.
But, how do you know you’re hiring the right professional and getting the best deal?
The key is to shop around using these key criteria:
- Verify whether the businesses you’re considering have been around for a while.
- Next, check who of those businesses has the right insurance in place, like worker’s compensation, not to mention warranties on workmanship.
- Finally, interview multiple contractors so you can compare bids (just be sure you see what each bid includes and doesn’t include, which can account for a lot of the pricing variables).
Tip 2: Put a budget together ahead of time
Knowing your budget and sticking to it is one of the best ways to keep spending from spinning out of control. Do be sure your budget also includes a contingency fund (which, for a remodel, should be at least 10% of the total budget), because unexpected stuff will come up. Until you see the “guts” of your home, you won’t know what to expect.
Tip 3: Do your research
Once you have your short list of contractors and your budget figured out, the final must-do is to talk to other homeowners. That might mean reaching out to family or friends to see what they learned in similar remodels (and what surprises they can help you brace for).
You can also dig into deeper research of the contractors you’re considering. Even if the bid sounds just right, what are people saying about that contractor or remodeler online? You can start by looking at Valor Home Service’s reviews to get an idea of what to expect.
